When we think of getting help for our relationships, images of a couple sitting on a couch across from a therapist come to mind. Maybe it’s a last-ditch effort to repair their relationship, or they only know how to communicate by arguing. That’s the situation we typically see in the media.
However, it’s common for an individual to seek counseling for relationships— romantic, platonic, familial, and business partnerships. Individuals can seek therapy independently and often do without their partners.
If you want to change the dynamic of your relationship, going to individual therapy can help you acknowledge your part in the relationship and give you the skills to break unhelpful patterns.
Why would an individual seek out counseling for their relationship?
Let’s first look at relationship counseling. In general, it’s a type of psychotherapy that improves relationships. Both couples and individuals can seek this type of therapy at any point throughout their relationship: before, during, and after.
Relationship counseling aims to gain greater insight into yourself as an individual and learn ways to communicate to ensure long-term satisfaction effectively. That’s why seeking individual help with your relationships will benefit you and all the relationships in your life.
Here are some signs that you may benefit from relationship therapy:
- Trouble expressing feelings
- Unsolvable disagreements
- A life event that’s changed daily life
- Wanting a stronger relationship
Relationship therapy can take place in-person or virtually; virtual therapy is an excellent option for the individual or couple in a long-distance relationship, already separated, or frequently traveling for work.
Individual Counseling for Relationship Issues
First and foremost, you do not need your partner (or mother, sibling, friend, or business partner) to attend therapy if you seek help for your relationship. Individual counseling for relationship issues is a great alternative depending on your situation or if you’re single.
The purpose, then, can include the following:
- Unlearning unhelpful patterns.
- Becoming aware of your attachment style.
- Changing your approach to dating.
Individuals seeking therapy for relationship issues have just as much success as couples because changing one person can positively impact the whole dynamic. Even without your partner, you can explore issues and improve your communication skills and your ability to resolve conflict.
5 Benefits of Individual Counseling for Relationships
Individual counseling for relationships has many benefits, and all can apply to any partnership. Here are five major benefits that individuals seeking relationship counseling can experience:
1. A deeper understanding of your relationship dynamic
Understanding your relationship dynamics means exploring whether or not it’s a balanced partnership:
- Does one of you have more power?
- What communication patterns do you use?
- What are the common themes of your arguments?
- How is conflict handled?
Exploring these questions can uncover positive and negative patterns, and finding the answers can help heal the relationship.
2. Learn effective coping skills
No partnership is perfect—there are ebbs and flows to every relationship, but how to navigate them is what sets successful relationships apart. A therapist can teach different coping mechanisms and techniques to help you deal with stress and emotions that can negatively impact your relationship.
3. Improve communication skills
One reason there can be tension in a relationship can be how well you communicate with your partner. Misunderstandings are common, but good communication skills are critical to any successful relationship.
To better connect with your partner, learning how to communicate effectively and productively is a skill your therapist can help you build. And as a bonus, improved communication skills can benefit other areas of your life.
4. Self-awareness and personal growth
Therapy, at its core, helps you grow and increases your self-awareness as you explore your needs.
You’ll discover what boundaries are important to you and how to set them, be less reactive, improve communication skills, navigate conflict respectfully, and uncover many different aspects of yourself.
5. Deepen your connection
Individual therapy can help deepen your intimacy and connection if you feel disconnected from your partner. Intimacy can fall by the wayside when living in a world that thrives on being busy.
Intimacy is much more than physical. Deepening your connection with your partner will help you feel seen and loved—something everyone craves and deserves. Therapy can give you that extra boost to reconnect by focusing on each other’s wants, needs, and desires.
The Takeaway
Individual counseling is an excellent option if you need help navigating the different relationships in your life. Working with a therapist can help you build other skills that can help you make stronger connections with your loved ones while also helping you figure out what’s important to you.
If you’re looking for a therapist who works with individuals in the Colorado Springs area, contact Amanda Grace, LPC. She offers both in-person and virtual sessions.
